The Lord Promises Freedom

When I signed up for a half-marathon, I thought I was agreeing to the half with medals and snacks at the end. Unfortunately, the journey to the finish line was a little more than I bargained for.

The longest distance I ran when training for the race was 10 miles. I’d read about many types of training plans. Some encouraged running more than 13.1 miles to increase your confidence on race day, while others suggested running less and allowing the adrenaline to carry you through. Through a very close elimination process, I chose the latter because it involved less running.

My training prepared me for inclement weather, dehydration, hunger, and cramps. I mapped out where along the route I should slow down or speed up, and even curated a motivational playlist—complete with a special list of victory songs for the last mile. On the morning of the race, I suited up with every recommended accessory and piece of training advice, keeping my mind only on the task at hand. The first several miles went as planned, but as the day grew hotter, it felt like the finish line was running in the opposite direction. I’d lost count of the mile markers, but I knew I still had a long way to go. That is, until I locked eyes with an encouraging onlooker who said, “You’re almost there! It’s the last mile!”.

Except, it wasn’t. It was the beginning of the next-to-last mile, which is a detail that truly matters when your legs have already begun to turn to jelly.

It was God’s ultimate will for His people to be released from Pharaoh’s control. And yet, day by day, freedom must have seemed like it was crawling further and further away from the Israelites. Just when they thought their jobs couldn’t get any worse, they were forced to source their own supplies. Just when they thought their lives couldn’t get harder, they were afraid they’d have to rely on their own strength.

Moses’ words to God seem to echo the thoughts of all His people: “Ever since I went in to Pharaoh to speak in your name he has caused trouble for this people, and you haven’t rescued your people at all” (Exodus 5:23).

Do you still love us?

Do you still see us?

Are you still going to help us make it to the finish line?

Seeing a promise through to its fulfillment demands perseverance. God does not promise us the shortest route or even the most painless, but as Corrie ten Boom puts it, “When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer.”

The distance may become longer. The steps may become more painful. The journey may become less predictable. But the same God who gives freedom also gives perseverance, purpose, and peace. His promise to Israel is His promise to us: “I will take you as my people, and I will be your God” (Exodus 6:7).

The distance may become longer. The steps may become more painful. The journey may become less predictable. But the same God who gives freedom also gives perseverance, purpose, and peace. His promise to Israel is His promise to us: “I will take you as my people, and I will be your God” (Exodus 6:7).

I’ve been limping along in this marathon. The finish line, Jesus’ return, the ultimate destination. Yet, I forget about why I’m running in the first place. I focus on the pain. I focus on the music playing just in the distance. I focus on anything, but the goal. Jesus. Salvation. Heaven. I run alone instead of bringing others from the shadows along with me. I forget why I’m running. I just limp along. Endurance. Lord, give me endurance. I focus on the fleeting things in this world instead of the eternal truths that matter. Jesus. No matter the pain. No matter the discomfort. May your eternal be my goal. Salivation my prize. May I not settle on crossing that line alone, but help me to have a heart to share the gospel.

When I feel the warmth of the sunlight, a rainbow or just feel startled by the natural beauty of my surroundings and blessings, I feel God’s strength, presence and a reminder that He will provide me with the vitality and strength to fulfill His plan through me.

I am few days behind and as a perfectionist I would beat myself for this. But I’m learning to accept my humanity and be ok with mistakes. Although I am days behind feels like the day I read is perfect for the day I go through. I needed this. My boyfriend and I are having a really rough patch after 3 years of dating. Why Now when we are talking about marriage? Why now? I feel like the Israelites, hard to believe that it will happen because I’ve been waiting for this my whole life and now it seems impossible.

Hey girl I had the same thing happen to me last year. God had spoken to both of us that we would be married, but our relationship seemed to literally be hit with plague after plague, hardship after hardship. We are indeed married now and are so grateful God uses that time to shape our characters before marriage. Endurance is so unromantic but so worth it❤️

I found this very comforting and so true to what goes on in life for each of us. Sometimes the journeys we encounter are short, but many of them seem long and drawn out with obstacles every which way we go. But God is faithful and keeps His promise to us that He has the bigger plan for our lives and that He will see us through.

‘God settles the solitary in a home’.. how I needed to hear this. Exhausted from confusion and waiting and hurting. But I am not really alone, even when that’s all I can feel, and God IS working for my good. Help me to trust, Lord!

Prior to reading this I was in prayer about God’s plan for me and asking for patience and reliance on God’s perfect timing. And then this…. may we all follow Moses’ example & be delivered or at least lead to the finish line. Let us not throw in the towel like a Judas who more than likely wanted a quicker path & gotfrustrated. Your strength Lord not mine! Amen

Uncertainty, doubt, exhaustion, pain. These are all human conditions. Moses felt them. I feel them. Every human on the planet feels them. God asks us to trust Him, to persevere, to cry out to Him in the midst of these human feelings. God also continues to speak into us His grace, his mercy, his plan for our lives. He never leaves us, He just asks us to walk through it with Him as our guide. This reading was so appropriate for me. He loves me and wants me to persevere, to live out my purpose, to find the peace in His love and promises. Lord, I am yours. You come to me in my times of doubt and exhaustion, when I can’t see the end game. You grant me Your peace. Listen to my cries, give me comfort, grant me hope in the hopeless. I trust you, I love you, I worship you.

Dealing with an undiagnosed, mystery health issue for 2+ years now makes this feel super prevalent today. I need the reminder that He’s still here, He knows what’s going on, and He cares. Thank you, Lord, for being my God, even in the midst of uncertainty.

I really needed this in the midst of all the uncertainty going on in my life – leadership changes forcing me to dread a job I once got excited about each day, no luck in love, etc. But I need to trust God during the hard times and focus on gratitude for all my blessings.

Exodus 6:6-9- How often do we read the promises of God to us in scripture- whether it’s a beautiful Psalm or a passage that should speak to us, yet as in verse 9, “we do not listen because of our broken spirit”. We don’t allow scripture to flood over us and change our hearts because we don’t take time to listen and mediate. Preaching to myself!

This comment really highlights the need to memorize scripture, imo. It’s so easy to forget Gods word during the ups and downs of the day but meditating/memorization helps bring it to the forefront often.

I think the beauty of Passover Dinner is this constant reminder…the same God who took us out of Egypt is the same God if today. Such an encouragement for every day.
While we might not see the immediate results, and things might get tougher, HE IS STILL THE SAME GOD WHO HAS RESCUED US BEFORE!

I’m thankful for accounts of people like Moses who said exactly what they were struggling with I’m glad I can be honest with God about how I’m feeling and struggling (he knows anyway!) and can rest in the fact that during times it seems like his deliverance is slow in coming, he always has a plan. I can trust him.

Today would’ve been my daddy’s 87th birthday! It gives me comfort that he is enjoying singing and probably dancing with Jesus. No more diabetes no more sickness, no more amputated leg he’s in his glorified body! But do I miss him greatly!

Kathy, Friday’s are my very busy mornings as I go into work earlier and have to drop my high school son at his school earlier for me to get to work on time. But I did remember to pray for you and Roger this morning.

So often we ignore the straw that has been provided to us and search for better straw without reducing our own quota. We can be our own Pharoah at times and I pray we each have a Moses in our life that, with unrelenting faith and perseverance, leads us into the wilderness of our own freedom.

Exactly! V. 9 “Impose heavier work on the men. Then they will be occupied with it and not pay attention to deceptive words.” This reminds me of Screwtape letters by CS Lewis. Reality is that we get so busy we ignore the word of God.

In 2003 I ran the 1/2 marathon in Nashville with some friends. Then, 27 yrs old. One friend, ran beside me the whole way (we’ll we walked/ran/skipped/stopped for a few pics, etc…), another had amazing time and sprinted on ahead and the 3rd, she was pushing hard somewhere in between. Just when I and the friend beside me were about to give up and let the van come by and pick us up, we noticed right in front of us a woman in her 80’s, possibly pushing 90. It looked as if she had the beginning stages of osteoporosis and it pulled her head downward where she had to face the road or tilt to the side to barely see up. But, despite, what seemed a huge disadvantage, she pushed on, faster than we. Her endurance is what carried me through the last several miles… along with a lot of laughter because we realized she was walking and we were running. That might take your head awhile to wrap around they image, but it was very painfully true. God not only helped me and my dear friend to the finish line that day, but the woman we met along the way too. And, she had better time! I must admit. So, maybe even in the heap of all the mess and discomfort there might even be some crazy painful redeeming laughter. LOL – theo P. S. the amazing friend with great time: she ran the complete marathon and her time was better than our 1/2. another humorous note. you have to LOL.

Dear Lord, please reveal yourself to Caroline today. Lord, let her feel your presence and peace. Give her joy in her circumstances and wisdom to make choices that will reflect your will for her life. Amen.

The Israelites were frustrated, Moses discouraged, but they couldn’t see God’s ultimate plan. If Pharaoh let the Israelites go at Moses’ first request, when Pharaoh didn’t even know who “The Lord” is, it would have been in Pharaoh’s power that the people were freed. In order for Pharaoh, the Egyptians, the Israelites to know it was God and not Moses power or Pharaoh’s, God had to delay immediate rescue. We often don’t understand God’s bigger plan, but when he promises something He does deliver in His timing.

So good today.
God allowed all this with the Israelites because He knew it would be best for them long-term because He didn’t just seek deliverance itself for them, He wanted them to be TRANSFORMED. And transformation requires more testing and stretching. It can be difficult to be in His will during that process especially, but it’s better than being outside of it– I mean look at Pharaoh.

I read in a commentary that this where a shift occurs… the patriarchs like Abraham knew God as the covenant-maker, but now Moses and the Exodus generation gets to know Him as covenant-keeper and even better, covenant-fulfiller!! I LOVE THIS STUDY. Thank you for leading us, SRT!

“But the same God who gives freedom also gives perseverance, purpose, and peace.” — I am going through an extremely difficult transition/season, and even though I am beginning to understand that God has promised me freedom and it is coming, I have yet to see light at the end of my tunnel. I have been offered the opportunity for an experience to truly experience how to live a life devoted to Him, yet I am crippled by doubt and fear. I am clinging tightly to these words, that in addition to freedom, God promises perseverance, purpose and peace in the journey to get there.

I have a friend battling cancer…she came to mind when reading this today. Her “pharaoh” right now is cancer. Her work is hard and painful. I am praying that God will help her persevere to the very end.

I so needed this today. I felt, and still sorta feel so discouraged. My promises seem so dead. But this is a reminder to not give up and to trust that God will see this through, no matter what things look like right now.

Three years ago I was living like a slave… a slave who had her freedom papers, but didn’t understand them. An undiscipled Christian, if that’s a thing. I had “asked Jesus into my heart” as a young girl but life threw me curveballs that turned me into a slave to bitterness, anger, resentment and shame. Then God, in His mercy, opened my eyes to His Words and Promises, He helped me understand what it means to be free! “Hallelujah God, I am a slave no more!”

Hallelujah, Praise the Lord!!! Oh sister, I too am thankful for the mercy of discipline, disappointment, and hardship that drives us toward the Answer, the Rescuer, the Healer, the Redeemer, the Comforter, the Savior—there is truly nothing that the nearness of Christ cannot cure, and in His goodness He walks with us through all things. To have endured and known Christ is to have known the hope and power in “count[ing] it all joy…for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness,” and “giv[ing] thanks in all circumstances.” Because God has His way with all circumstances. Yes, “He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.” (James 1; 1 Thess. 5) Thank you, Lord, that you never leave us where we are!!!!

Kaitlyn, I enjoyed your story as a runner myself and had to giggle. I love how you ended. “The distance may become longer. The steps may become more painful.The journey may become less predictable, But the same God Who gives freedom also gives perseverance, purpose, and peace. I needed this today. I need all of the stories and devotions as I’m growing with all of you here. And this gives me so much hope. Thank you.

I’m a YL leader and sometimes it’s really hard to persevere with high school girls. They turn you down again and again and they just don’t get it. It can be very frustrating, but this reminded me that God called me to be a YL leader and he will carry me through. He gives me the perseverance so that I can share with my high school friends that he wants to take us as his people and be our God.

Hang in there! We have been with YL for over 40 years and now those kids that rejected us are writing and saying “I remember when you said…..and it changed my life.” Perseverance is definitely the key!! Bless you for blessing them.

Hang tough! HS is a tough crowd. I heard it once said when comparing leading middle school versus high school. “Middle schoolers in essence ask you, am I cool enough to hang out with you. High schoolers rather ask, are you cool enough to hang out with us?” Keep pressing on, you’ll see little glimpses of where you are making an impact. I’ve actually been prayerfully considering leading a middle school group.

I’ve been dealing with medical issues with my 6 year old daughter over the last 6-8 weeks. This mornings study is exactly what I needed to hear. We still have more specialists to see, more issues to respond to, this trial for my daughter and for me and my husband isn’t over yet, such an encouragement to be reminded of the perseverance, purpose and peace that God gives us for such a time as this.

This is so true. Trust. True trust is knowing that God has already worked it out. And if he promises something, it will come to pass. He has worked out the biggest of our problems—our sin. I’m praying that I remember the Israelites when I’m struggling with trust, and look to Him over my worried and fear.

“True trust is knowing that God has already worked it out.” Praise the Lord—that is exactly what I needed to hear today. He has worked out not only my life, but also the lives of every single one of the people I love and worry needlessly over. What amazing assurance!

I love the quote about the train. Some days lately I have a hard time even praying, and I just want to run from the pain I am in. It is all I can do to sit, and maybe that’s enough. It’s not me who’s driving, anyway.

It got harder for the Israelites but as the saying goes, it’s darkest before dawn… they were getting closer to freedom than they ever realized and yet the freedoms they would get very soon would give way to complaining in a desert.. lots of wondering for God’s people, they, like myself, had so much to learn.. we were never promised an easy road, but obeying God is always the best fork in the road way to take..

This reminds me of advice that my mother always gave me when going through a trying time: “Thank God for the way He is going to work this out”. It shifted focus from fear to trust, and that is so powerful.

YES! Pain does not negate the promise that He spoke over you! The obstacles along the way will only serve to better build your character and increase your faith, so that WHEN (not if) you arrive at the Promised Land, you will enjoy God’s blessings in their fullness because you will have experienced such great intimacy with Him along the way.

These passages remind me of Isaiah 43:19, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

We have a beautiful park just a mile or so up the road from our home with gorgeous trails we’d often hike. A few years ago, my young son was so fearful on those little journeys, often saying things like, “I don’t like ‘the nature'” or “What if we get lost”, etc… It was really hard for him to enjoy the beauty around him because he was always so fearful by the “what if’s” ravaging his little mind. Each time, my husband and I would encourage him along the way, holding tightly to his sweet little hand and pointing out little treasures along the way, all the while he’d be asking, “Are we lost yet”. So nervous about our hikes, when shopping for new shoes he asked if we could find a pair with a compass in the toe, now he didn’t know how to read a compass but he wanted something he could rely on that was physical because our words weren’t enough, yet each trip we’d make it out of the forest and he’d breath a huge sigh of relief as soon as he saw sure land. Eventually, we’d walk the trails enough over the course of the years his fears became a distant memory and he actually began to request time for hikes. :)

Aren’t we so much the same? We walk through these dense seasons so focused on getting through it that we miss the journey or sweet somethings along the way. We hear God telling us He’s working something out, or that He won’t leave us there but our hearts worry so greatly that our minds wreak havoc in the wilderness and we lose sight of God’s bigger purpose for us. Fear becomes pain and pain gives way to panic and before we know it we are seeking comfort in modern day creations in an effort to bring relief. Truth tells us that God doesn’t break promises, that He is faithful not to leave us “where we are”. He is our compass rose, our guide through the harsh wilderness that is life. We can walk blindly through these forests so long as we listen closely for His voice. He won’t lead us into demise, quite the opposite, He will make a way in the wilderness and provides streams in the wasteland of our lives.

Prayerful that as fears seek to wreak havoc in life that I redirect my hearing to God. That I close my eyes to all that is scary and let LOVE lead the way!

Yes. Roger is covered for a successful surgery, surrounded by the peaceful presence of the Great Physician. Praying Kathy that you know you and your family are lifted up before the throne of grace. We are expecting great things in answer to your prayers and all of those here

This message was just what I needed. This has been a hard and painful week for me. God leads me to speak to family and friends, who like Pharoah, have hardened their hearts and are set on a way that is hurtful and disastrous. I feel like I can empathize with Moses and how he must have felt when he tried to do God’s bidding and was rebuffed by all. Thanks for this encouragement to persevere, knowing the God is there by my side.

Pharoah didn’t have to listen to God. The people of Israel did not receive nor see instant changes so they groaned and doubted God. However, God’s words are true and He always keeps His word. What must we do? We must trust Him. We must stay on the path He has set for us and keep doing what we are called to do while we wait and trust. God keeps His word, always. We must trust and keep on keeping on, always.

I have been known not to have very good patience during lifes struggles and storms but God reminds me everyday he has it under control. I’m getting better then i use to be but it’s still a work in progress. Our God is so good and I know he isn’t going to give up on me.

Its amazing how this puts things back into perspective especially when you don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. God already knows the ending but we MUST trust Him enough to know that He will be there every step of the way. Is that an easy task? Not always, and that is where reminders like today helps makes those difficult times or situations less overwhelming. God is great and worthy to be praised even when it seems difficult. Happy Friday!

I’ve never been crazy about the word perseverance. Probably because every time I say it I hear ‘severe.’ Perseverance is putting one foot in front of the other regardless how severe the circumstance. It’s simply refusing to give up, give in or go home. The Israelites had it rough and their eventual freedom required it would get rougher still. Moses and Aaron knew the key to victory – trusting in the authority of the One who promised He would see them out. Perseverance always comes back to that. Trust. It’s easier when you have a history with the Lord. You know Him. You know He works in mysterious ways so it doesn’t throw you when He does just that. You know the trial contains a test and you know “trust” is the answer. It’s hard. But He is not waiting at the finish line. He is running alongside. He is encouraging every step. He knows the path. He knows every hill and valley. He knows every obstacle. He will guide and navigate the way. You move forward, each severe step an inch closer. He is right there. It is well with your soul. He will see you through. You will not give up. You will not give in. You know He knows the way Home. And He will get you there. Persevere, sisters. Persevere, Churchmouse.

yes!!! The running along side, cheering your on…..reminds me of when my oldest wanted to run a half marathon with me…..except he really neglected his training (what did Mom know, right?!?!) He started off too fast (going against what Mom’s suggestions)…..refusing to layer his clothes as Mom suggested….and for the last 4 or 5 miles, he was begging to quit, to be done…in tears. I never left his side. I held his hand, I encouraged him, sang to him, cheered him on, quoted scripture…..in the end, he crossed that finish line…..and stood in victory when the medal was placed on his neck…..we ended up with a small pack of people who finished with us…..they said they kept wanting to stop, but didn’t want to leave us, to leave the cheering on, the encouraging…..

I pray I am like Alexander was that day (and those that we picked up along the way)…..always placing one painful foot forward….sometimes feeling like we are just falling forward and stumbling….right towards the finish line and VICTORY with our Father….

Referencing Exodus 5:22 – I think we have all asked that question during a trial, difficult season, or witnessing others go through tremendous pain and suffering, “Lord, why have you caused trouble for this people?” I️t may be difficult to push through but these are the circumstances that will test our faith and set our dependence on Him. Our confidence may falter but know that He is always listening, He is always present and His love for us is always steadfast…Reference Day 2, Psalm 136 – His faithful love endures forever!

I’m not known for my patience –quite the opposite, actually. My trust in the Lord comes in random bursts here and there. When I’m in the eye of the storm, I get so focused on trying not to get hit by debris that I forget to run towards refuge.
Thanks be to God that He always listens, He’s always there, His love is neverending. Father, move me towards a place of absolute trust and dependance on You.

Such an inspirational way to start a Friday. It’s so easy to forget that in the mist of our trails we can’t see the big picture, but God can… we have to trust where He is taking us. He knows what’s best and He knows what we need exactly when we need it. It’s crazy to know how loved we are, God is soo good & never forgets about us!! Have a blessed day friends !!